Use appropriate packaging materials
For all the packaging materials you'll need, whatever you are shipping, visit our packaging shop.
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Boxes
For safe parcel delivery the quality of the box you use is of paramount importance. For the best protection your box should be made from industry standard durable double walled corrugated cardboard.
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Cushioning materials
This describes the materials that fill your box to protect more fragile items and ensure safe parcel delivery. They include: Bubble wrap, Polystyrene chips, or tightly screwed up newspaper.
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Tape
Your package must be sealed securely to ensure that it does not open in transit. Household tape is NOT suitable for courier delivery. All edges where the flaps of your carton meet should be securely sealed with 48mm or 50mm wide plastic or reinforced carton tape.
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Cylinders
Triangular shaped cylinders should be used for packaging rolled items such as maps and blueprints. Tubular cylinders are more easily crushed and therefore should not be used.
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Packaging material YOU MUST NOT use
i. Do not tie your package with string as this can get snagged in transit.
ii. Do not use Bags made from non waterproof materials as these can degrade and weaken.
iii. Do not use weak single walled 'supermarket' type boxes. Boxes should be double walled, rigid and new else their integrity may be compromised.
For all the packaging materials you'll need, whatever you are shipping, visit our packaging shop.
How to correctly pack your items
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Select a suitably sized box
Safe parcel delivery requires attention to the way you pick and pack your boxes. Do not over-fill or under-fill your box can leave your items susceptible to damage in transit.
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Use protective cushioning
Filling empty space in your box with cushioning material such as bubble wrap or polystyrene chips will help to protect your items from damage.
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Cover sharp edges
Ends and edges which could cause damage to your or other packages should be protected with double walled heavy duty cardboard for safe parcel delivery.
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Wrap individual items separately
All items within your package should be wrapped separately to ensure their individual protection from one another and movement.
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Seal your package securely
To ensure safe parcel delivery you should use industry standard tape (not household tape) to securely seal all open ends of your package.
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Don't tie packages together
For the safety of the contents of your packages do not tie parcels together. String, ropes and tape holding multiple parcels together can damage the outer packaging and if the parcels separate and only one is labelled the others will not reach their destination. Rapid Parcel cannot be held responsible for any loss where packages have been tied together (please see terms and conditions).
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Label your package clearly
Always ensure that the address on your label is legible, easily visible and securely fixed to the outside of your box. The full address (including postcode or zip code) should always be used to avoid delays.
How to correctly pack liquid items
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Leak-free containers
To ensure safe parcel delivery all non-solids should be sealed securely within leak-proof containers to protect other items in your package.
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Lightweight sealable plastic bags
These should be used as a second layer of protection from leakage.
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"This way up" labels
These should be clearly visible and attached to the sides of your box.
How to package fragile or delicate items
Please be aware that fragile goods are not covered by Standard liability and can be sent on limited liability / non compensation basis only.
In addition to the packaging advice noted above for safe parcel delivery Rapid Parcel users should consider the following:
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Additional cushioning
The more delicate your items are the higher the need for additional cushioning to ensure safe parcel delivery.
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Optimum positioning of your items
For delicate items it is strongly recommended that you use additional cushioning material to ensure safe parcel delivery. This will reduce the likelihood of potential impacts to your box causing damage to your delicate items.
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"Fragile" and "Handle with care" labels
Rapid Parcel only uses the best couriers who are all committed to handling your packages with care. Although not a substitute for a properly packaged item, such labels may improve the probability of safe parcel delivery.
